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So IAAPA is officially over. I have scoured literally every social media platform possible to find more/better footage of the BTS videos and concept art shown in the presentation, but if anyone took any they haven’t shown it yet (If anyone on this forum took it please share) but here’s all the new info/my predictions I have after the event. -Rather than being an abandoned theater that the guests just happen to stumble into, I interpret the vibe now as more as a theater for phantoms and wandering spirits (think the original retirement home idea for the haunted mansion at Disneyland) -The original soundtrack is rescored and will be present in this version. I interpret this as being Maestro’s new composition he discusses “Terror Toccata in D Minor” (unless of course he’s taking credit for bach’s work) -The animatronics on display went through 3 different spiels, and I believe this is the setup we’ll see in the queue. However, I think the particular Maestro animatronic they used will be located at the finale to the ride as opposed to the queue, as this figure has full legs and a “bowing” movement. The Larry animatronic could be in the queue to show off how to use the flashlight, or at the very beginning if they changed from the concept art for the opening scene they showed off. At this point, I think Maestro on the organ is a scene they’ll save for the physical ride (I think in the first room where the graveyard is now), but I really love the dynamic between Larry, Maestro, and the guests they showed off, so I’m fine with that. But I think there will be more that they say in the actual queue, I’d say more of a 15-40 minute loop. - We saw new bts videos showing off the Boiler Men, Arpeggio, the vulture from The Beastie, and Willard being wrapped up (by the ghost notes I assume) into the mummy. -They showed off the flashlight technology, which I’m very curious to see how it works. I wonder if the scoring system will be off of points or how many ghost notes you capture. -The park promises more updates throughout the Winter, which at this point I sorta hope they don’t show off too much more of the ride. Overall very impressed with the event, we got more than I expected. Thank you sally dark ride and Kings Island.

I have never understood the timing of these USA Today polls.

It would make more sense to run these polls while events are happening.

There are some clearer shots here on the Tower Topics FB group: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17T5g6WqKC/?

I already know I’m not going to last a day once the park actually releases merch, because I need phantom theater drink… I need $75 eBay reselling of the IAAPA poster which I’m not even sure is real because they’re selling like twenty of them… I need more footage because I’ve spent literal hours trying to find the footage they play on the side of the animatronics because I don’t know anyone going to IAAPA who can film it for me nor know if they even allow people to film that.

Why would I vote for an event that no one has been to yet?

Agreed. As much I enjoy going to Winterfest every year, who's to say what this year will be like? Sorta reminds me of tipping before receiving your food/drink orders.

RIP to the Mighty Bosco appearing heavily in this thing, he’s probably still trapped in his dressing room

Oddly enough, I think it may have been gone already:

I really hope they're taking down the Boo Blasters signage. I think for any other ride at any other major park it would've been taken down almost immediately. The castle modifications might be done closer to the start of the season so they could use the entire pathway while they work. I'd like to see them remove the turrets and add a marquee board, but I guess only time will tell what's in store. Did there used to be another turret cap on the right side of the castle (looking from this direction)? It'd be right below where the black pickup truck's door is. I could also just be seeing something on the Eiffel Tower's star wire, but that bulb does not appear to be oriented in that direction.

Double posting to share this video Orlando Experience took at IAAPA. You can see the screen on the left side as well as a less crowded view of the display at the end of the video.

Maestro looks perfect! A blend of cool, creepy ish, and cute! I love this so much! The presentation, the IAAPA exclusive lines from Maestro and No Legs Larry, the way they revealed them with the curtain and the people dressed as ushers.. Just absolutelu splendid!

Alright I have to say this, I love the new Maestro animatronic and it looks a lot more lively and more detailed than the original and I'm loving the realistic movements of the new Maestro animatronic, as much as I love the original Phantom Theater which I grew up riding... I think this is going to be a much better improvement!

We are going to try it at Kings Island probably during Winterfest or Opening day for Phantom Theater. Other than that, mom is really looking forward to drinking it.

When I did it in 2019, the messaging was definitely not clear and it was more like you would lose guaranteed access if you left to go into the park. I remember asking someone working what happened if I left and they basically said if the room gets full, I couldn't get back in.

You pay for you seat for the entire evening of the event. We have done it every year it's been offered. You are free to come and go as you please. You receive a wrist band when you check in. We are planning on doing it again. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Don't get over excited about it. We don't know if I was right about that van. But I can that I was right about the facade of Boo Blaster's getting torn down.

They might be taking down the Boo Blasters signage?? There’s been a storage container there for a few days but it would be for Winterfest so who knows… omg it’s the car how did you know??

Yes my girlfriend and I went last year. It sold out. We are hoping to attend again this season.

Has anyone actually paid the ticket price for the International Restaurant NYE dinner celebration? If so, was it worth it?

I just ask that there would eventually be a re-route of the exit ramp/Fast Lane path (or widen the path).

Who’s got a few extra of these? Asking for a friend…

The car for the Outer Limits/Orion area is a really nice feature, the Ghost Hunting Van would work really well.

I wonder if any melodies from Phantom Theater Encore will make it into the ride's soundtrack, even just as a musical Easter egg.

At least they also get to show off that pretty orange tree in the background! I'm excited to see how this part of the retracking turns out after a year of not being able to ride some of my favorites.

^That's more than retracking!

Glad to see more retracking on The Beast!

Ghost Blasters and Ghost Blasters II are the base models of the Boo Blasters on Boo Hill property from Sally Dark Rides. The ride that Canada's Wonderland, Carowinds, Kings Dominion, and Kings Island received is specifically the Ghost Blasters II model, which was also installed at Elitch Gardens in 2008. The new animatronics, new screens, and new flashlights will definitely help to differentiate it from SDatHC and BBoBH. I don't know if Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is an exclusive partnership between Kings Island/Six Flags and SDR or if other parks will eventually have the option to purchase it, but I think the most we'll see in the short term would be to replace the CW, CAR, and KD versions of Boo Blasters.

As hesitant as I was for the new style of the ride, it's growing on me. I think the new style will definitely make it more palatable for younger audiences while doing a good job of retaining their images. The largest difference (to me) is the fact that they look less gaunt and more hauntingly lively. (Also, it's almost opening night for the new theater, of course Maestro is going to make sure his hair is done and his face looks good!) Those photos being over 20 years old and using full flash definitely doesn't help the case for them. I think the weirdest part of this reveal is the fact that they decided to use the red Kings Island logo with the blue flag on both the top sign and the screen. You'd think they could have used the white logo with the red flag instead. The last time we really saw the red logo used was earlier on in the Cedar Fair era. On the flip side, I really enjoyed that they used a red curtain-like drape with gold tie backs for the cover and that they chose to put the two "curtain pullers" in full costume instead of just having them wear slacks and a polo. I also noticed that they did the same for the reveal of the Tormenta car. If this is the length that the company is willing to go then I think this might be a sign as to how much theming we might continue to see in the future. The flashlights look like they might be a little weird to use. I'm wondering if that is the same model found on other rides that use the flashlight system and how it has worked out for those attractions. It might have a learning curve for Kings Island guests who are so used to using the Ghost Blaster guns. This version of Maestro definitely sounds a lot like Richard Doyle. If it somehow isn't his voice then major props to whoever it is. No Legs Larry kind of sounds like one of the actors who portrayed him in Phantom Theater Encore. I was watching through the 50th Anniversary Archives POV earlier and noticed some parts of the original ride that each felt like they were missing something. The hallway of doors definitely felt empty from when you saw Houdelini, Garbonzo, and Bosco until the electric panel scene. I think the interactive elements would help to fill those "empty" spots in the ride that might've harmed the pacing in the original. We also have a new name I think we should call the Phantom Theater soundtrack: "Terror Toccata".

The app is showing Songs of the Nativity near the carousel pavilion, which might explain the rigging that appeared there near the end of Haunt:

It was so much fun watching the videos on YouTube people have put up, and the pictures here and on Facebook. Wonderful job!

I think another user confirmed that Richard Doyle is back for Maestro at least.

They also included this cool concept piece that I believe we saw in a previous YouTube video/interview:

Has anyone confirmed who is doing the voice acting for the characters in the new ride?

Channel 12 has a story about some of the animatronics. As a side note, I cannot see the Opening 2026 sign and not think "Spongebob Squarepants" https://local12.com/news/entertainment/kings-island-unveils-new-animatronic-characters-upcoming-interactive-dark-ride-collab-collaboration-phantom-theater-opening-nightmare-iaapa-expo-orlando-mason-ohio-cincinnati-family-fun-entertainment-tech-rollercoaster Also Sally Darkrides also has a "Ghost Blasters" which is just BooBlasters but interestingly KI isn't listed as a park location. Please don't make PTON the same dang ride.

Yes I agree with what everyone has said! Looks very cool and am super excited to see all this come together in the spring! Here's the video on YouTube if you care to watch it there:

This was truly amazing! Honestly I would have to say the animatronics look a lot better now then before, this is getting me even more excited than before!

I missed the live stream but found this video on the revealing: A couple things that I noticed: 1) A remaster of the old soundtrack can be heard in the background 2) The Maestro animatronic doesn’t look as derpy as the leak made it out to be 3) Even though the Maestro has a different voice, it’s not a bat fit for the character 4) the flashlights used just to be props but I wouldn’t jump to conclusion 5) the people pulling off the curtain seemed to be wearing costumes from Phantom Theater Encore, so maybe a sign that more things from the show could return. (Like the artifacts in the lobby?)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/172ixz2eAY/?mibextid=wwXIfr Close up of the flashlight/blaster

Clip from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRNcdTEgWVt/?igsh=MWw2NWs2bWIyeWo3dw== Absolutely loving it.

They’re perfect. The music. The voices. The posters. The dialog. Thank you Kings Island. This is better than I expected.

Caught a brief look on a Facebook live stream. Sound awful and it was from pretty far back, but the Maestro and Usher display from the TikTok link was unveiled.

I’m really loving how active the socials have been about this new dark ride. It appears that the park and the marketing teams realize how special this is and they are really pushing it which makes me happy. You can tell there are lots of passionate people bringing this project to life and they want to show us all the work and time going into this addition!

Me in high school drawing and redrawing the leaked Diamondback layout on every notebook I had. Ha!

Me in 8th grade checking Lightning Rod/Valravn updates on the chromebooks when I was supposed to be working on school work/group projects (got yelled at by the teacher for that one lol)

I can’t wait to totally focus on work and being an adult today, and not obsessively checking for IAPPA updates.

I think this means that we will at least have parts of the original soundtrack in the new ride. It will likely be some of the original with the "newer" scenes getting new musical motifs. I'm hoping they will have some music backing the characters in the display. If the apparent screen proves to be such I could see some more promotional material being shown on it. The worst they can do (in my opinion) would be to say that there are "signature music themes" from the original only to put in recordings of Toccata and Fugue and other pieces like that. Someone posted a calendar screenshot that said the big presentation was specifically Sally Dark Rides and Six Flags. I've found the page and posted a screenshot below. It runs from about 2:10-2:30 and looks like it might just be them showing off the display. I can't tell if the booth number (#2267) is simply included for convenience and this will be an on-stage conference, or if this will simply be a 20 minute segment where they pull the sheet away from the display. I'm super excited to see what they do!

I'm predicting an animatronic sneak peek tomorrow either Maestro or No Legs Larry or possibly some new props nonetheless I'm excited!

The only thing that would ruin it for me is the 'thoosies who complain about it from the start. Yeah, there are things we all would love to see and experience, but it's going to be what it is, the park/Six Flags/Sally planned the attraction, none of us did and unless someone donates a lot of $ to add something they may want, it'll be what it is when it opens. Sit down, enjoy the ride for what it is and get back in line (or don't).